talk out of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talk out of" is correct and may be used written English.
This phrase usually means to talk someone out of doing something, such as talking someone out of buying a new car. For example, "My friend was about to buy a new car, but I talked her out of it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"It is nice to talk out of the blue sometimes," he said.

Independent

But we couldn't talk out of both sides of our mouths.

The New York Times

It can be difficult for them to talk out of turn.

The Guardian

"They all talk out of the side of their mouths in an impenetrable accent.

The New York Times - Food

"I celebrate as a victory every student I manage to talk out of a career in finance.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He could have gone to Dick and said, 'Look, I don't want to talk out of school, but listen.

The New Yorker

Instead, the special relationship was relegated to a 15-minute "walk and talk" out of sight in the UN's kitchens.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Bill Gates pointed out in a TED Talk, out-of-control healthcare costs are directly devastating education budgets.

Forbes

Bill Gates pointed out in a TED Talk, out-of-control healthcare costs are directly devastating education budgets that are critical to our long-term future.

Forbes

As Bill Gates pointed out in a TED Talk, out-of-control healthcare costs are directly devastating education budgets that are critical to our long-term future.

Forbes

"Other persons, who may know the whereabouts of the missing, may not be willing to talk... out of fear, or lack of interest".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone and formality of your writing. While "talk out of" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "dissuade" might be preferable in academic or professional settings.

Common error

A common error is to omit the object of the persuasion, leading to unclear sentences. Always specify who or what is being "talked out of" something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talk out of" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of persuading someone to abandon a particular idea or course of action. Ludwig shows many examples in which one person prevents another from doing something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "talk out of" is a grammatically correct and common expression used to describe persuading someone to not proceed with a plan or idea. As Ludwig AI validates, it sees frequent use in news and media, reflecting its accessibility and understandability. When writing, be sure to specify what or whom you are talking out of a certain action for clarity. Consider formal alternatives, such as "dissuade" in academic or professional contexts. Understanding these nuances will enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissuade from

This alternative directly conveys the act of discouraging someone from a course of action.

persuade against

Similar to 'dissuade', it focuses on convincing someone to change their mind.

convince not to

Emphasizes the act of making someone believe they should not do something.

deter from

Highlights the action of preventing someone from doing something through fear or doubt.

discourage from

Suggests a milder form of dissuasion, making someone less enthusiastic about an action.

advise against

Focuses on providing counsel to prevent someone from taking a specific action.

reason out of

Indicates using logic and reasoning to change someone's mind.

inveigle out of

Suggests using deception or flattery to dissuade someone.

cajole out of

Implies gently persuading someone through flattery or promises.

warn against

Emphasizes the potential negative consequences of an action to discourage it.

FAQs

How do you use "talk out of" in a sentence?

The phrase "talk out of" is used to describe the act of persuading someone not to do something. For example, "I tried to "talk out of" buying that expensive car."

What can I say instead of "talk out of"?

You can use alternatives like "dissuade from", "persuade against", or "convince not to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "talk someone from" instead of "talk out of"?

While "talk someone from" might sound similar, the correct and idiomatic phrasing is ""talk out of"". Using "from" can sound awkward or incorrect to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "talk out of" and "deter from"?

"Talk out of" implies persuasion, while "deter from" suggests preventing someone through fear or obstacles. "I talked him out of quitting" versus "The high cost deters many from buying."